Page 72 of Entangled Vows

She spotted the bunny in Mahika’s hand, and her face brightened. “There he is! Bungee! My baby!” she squealed,reaching out to pet his fur. “Get over here, you little fluff! I haven’t seen you in forever.”

Mahika laughed and stepped aside to let her in. “Drama queen. He missed you too.”

Without wasting time, she grabbed Ishika’s wrist and pulled her to the bed. “You’re a lifesaver! I need coffee, and I need to yell. Maybe even cry, or maybe both.”

Ishika grinned and passed her the cup. “Good thing I came prepared. Seriously though, why are you still wearing work clothes? Get ready, girl,” she whispered, her eyes sparkling.

Mahika’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Ready for what?”

Ishika’s lips curved into a sly smirk. “Vikram called me earlier. He booked a spa day for two and invited me to join you.”

“H-he what?” Mahika blurted, taken aback.

“I know, right? I was shocked too. But he said—”

Mahika was no longer listening. She grabbed her phone, already fuming, and called Vikram, putting him on speaker so Ishika could hear.

“Khurana,” Vikram drawled, his tone smooth and smug. He knew perfectly well it was her. Her name, or something similar, would have appeared on his screen. Why act like such a pretentious jerk, then?

“What exactly is your game?” she snapped.

“I’m not sure what you mean. Momo. Have you reached home yet?” he asked, the concern in his voice clearly rubbing her the wrong way.

Of course he knew she was home. Max would have told him the second she walked in. And if he thought acting like the caring husband would fool Ishika, he was sorely mistaken. Ishika wasn’t gullible, even with the fancy spa offer.

“Obviously. Didn’t think you needed a play-by-play of my whereabouts,” Mahika replied tightly. “So why is my best friend standing here in athleisure, ready for a full day of pampering?”

“That’s because I’ve booked one of our finest spa experiences for you both. The whole works. I told you that you needed a little relaxation.”

She rolled her eyes as Ishika sighed dreamily.What was the matter with her bestie?Mahika wondered. Ishika was usually smarter than this.

“Why, Grizzly?”

“Why not? You’re there. The spa’s there. Did you have any other plans?”

Yes. No. “Maybe.”

“Well, cancel them.”

“Like hell I will,” Mahika muttered under her breath.

“Make sure you enjoy it. You’re booked at the salon too. And just so you know, our wedding reception is day after tomorrow.”

“Wedding reception? After two months of marriage? Who even does that? I thought we agreed this wasn’t the kind of wedding that needed a celebration. Galas, charity events, sure. But this? You could’ve disguised it as a fundraiser. Why even call it a wedding reception?”

“I’m flattered you’re counting the days, really,” he said, his tone edged with irritation. “But yes, we’re doing it. My PR team insisted. Something about public image and authenticity. Didn’t you check the calendar I sent this morning?”

A flush of annoyance rose in her chest. “No, Grizzly. I haven’t looked at your calendar.”

He smirked. “It’s not just mine. It’s ours,baby.”

She ignored the fluttery feeling when he called her ‘baby’again, and pushed the whole calendar thing aside for now. “But what if I’m busy?”

“You’re not. And late or not, the reception is happening. It will be the perfect night for us to show up as a couple in our social circle.”

The thought of being thrust into the limelight made her fingers tremble. She would be facing the town’s elite and the country’s most influential figures, as in the who’s who of Indian high society. This event wasn’t some intimate affair. It was a carefully orchestrated spectacle, powered by the combined influence of two established dynasties: the Khuranas and the Jaykars. Together, their names didn’t just open doors; they drew cameras, headlines, and endless gossip.

Of course, she’d already heard the rumours. Through acquaintances, during overpriced brunches, in whispered calls. People wondered if their marriage was even real. They said it had happened too quietly, too formally. No big wedding. No rituals. Just a private legal signing. Basically, it gave everyone a free rein to pry and dissect something that was none of their business.